The Bodyguard The Musical at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Review
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Tue 09 May 2023 - Sat 13 May 2023
The Bodyguard first exploded onto cinema screens more than 20 years ago with Whitney Houston as the pop star Rachel Marron and Kevin Costner as Frank Farmer, the man brought in to keep her safe from a mystery stalker.
Ten years later, the musical premiered in the West End and has been hugely successful with the latest tour taking in Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre this May and Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre in December.
The show is pretty faithful to the film and gives audiences exactly what they expect – glamour pop singers, a bit of romance and a lot of suspense, jazzy choreography and a string of hits.
Former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton holds the stage as Rachel giving it plenty of welly in an energetic performance. She can certainly belt out a song, not least the show’s number one track, I Will Always Love You, and shimmy in pop star style.
Ayden Callaghan’s Frank Farmer is a more difficult character to decipher. Whether Callaghan has been told to play the part in such a dour manner or whether that’s what he brings to the role, he is believable as the bossy bodyguard but less so as an enamoured lover. Surely there are moments this man can relax?
Emily-Mae gives a strong performance as Rachel’s sister Nicki, she has a beautiful voice which is fortunately given plenty of space in the show.
The Bodyguard is very much a jukebox musical with hit after hit including I Have Nothing, Saving All My Love, So Emotional, How Will I Know, Queen of the Night, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody as a finale which gives the audience the opportunity to get up on their feet and bop along.
The on-stage dancing is phenomenal. Karen Bruce’s ensemble pieces wonderfully evoke the amazing eighties diva arena shows where a singer is surrounded by a cast of writhing dancers in a high-impact performance. And Tim Hatley’s set and costumes give plenty of glamour to these pieces with a rising stage for Rachel and cheeky mini-dresses packed full of shimmer.
Originally directed by Thea Sharrock and with Mark Hedges as resident director, the show also has some lovely theatrical moments – not least when Rachel’s stalker, played with silent menace by Marios Nicolaides, appears, sneaking his way into crowds, impersonating security personnel and in a Psycho-style shock moment. There is also good use of digital projection with close-up shots of Thornton’s Rachel and Ayden’s Frank reflecting iconic moments of the story.
This tour has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after fights have broken out at theatres due to over-exuberant singing from some audience members. Still, the crowd at The Grand kept their enthusiasm under control until the finale number. While there was no doubt the audience were loving the show, thank goodness the singing and dancing stayed on stage.
The Bodyguard plays
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 13 May and Birmingham’s
Alexandra Theatre on 4-30 with the Birmingham cast yet to be announced.
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!date 9/5/2023 -- 13/5/2023
78489 - 2023-05-10 09:52:16